Reef Reef, n. [Akin to D. reef, G. reff, Sw. ref; cf. Icel.
rif reef, rifa to basten together. Cf. {Reeve}, v. t.,
{River}.] (Naut.)
That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of
the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the sail to
the force of the wind.
[1913 Webster]

Note: From the head to the first reef-band, in square sails,
is termed the first reef; from this to the next is the
second reef; and so on. In fore-and-aft sails, which
reef on the foot, the first reef is the lowest part.
--Totten.
[1913 Webster]

Look at other dictionaries:

close reef — ˈklōs , ˈklōz noun : the last ordinary reef that can be put in a sail compare balance reef * * * close reef, the last ordinary reef in a sail, producing the greatest reduction in size … Useful english dictionary

close-reef — ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ transitive verb Etymology: close reef : to reduce the area of (a sail) as much as possible … Useful english dictionary

Reef — Reef, n. [Akin to D. reef, G. reff, Sw. ref; cf. Icel. rif reef, rifa to basten together. Cf. {Reeve}, v. t., {River}.] (Naut.) That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the sail… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Reef band — Reef Reef, n. [Akin to D. reef, G. reff, Sw. ref; cf. Icel. rif reef, rifa to basten together. Cf. {Reeve}, v. t., {River}.] (Naut.) That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Reef knot — Reef Reef, n. [Akin to D. reef, G. reff, Sw. ref; cf. Icel. rif reef, rifa to basten together. Cf. {Reeve}, v. t., {River}.] (Naut.) That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Reef line — Reef Reef, n. [Akin to D. reef, G. reff, Sw. ref; cf. Icel. rif reef, rifa to basten together. Cf. {Reeve}, v. t., {River}.] (Naut.) That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Reef points — Reef Reef, n. [Akin to D. reef, G. reff, Sw. ref; cf. Icel. rif reef, rifa to basten together. Cf. {Reeve}, v. t., {River}.] (Naut.) That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Reef tackle — Reef Reef, n. [Akin to D. reef, G. reff, Sw. ref; cf. Icel. rif reef, rifa to basten together. Cf. {Reeve}, v. t., {River}.] (Naut.) That part of a sail which is taken in or let out by means of the reef points, in order to adapt the size of the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Reef aquarium — See also: Marine aquarium Reef aquarium in Monaco A reef aquarium or reef tank is an marine aquarium that prominently displays live corals and other marine invertebrates as well as fish that play a role in maintaining the coral reef environment.… … Wikipedia